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Jerry Crasnick ESPN Senior Writer

Angels GM Billy Eppler was already having a strong winter with Justin Upton's contract extension and the Shohei Ohtani acquisition. Now he's filled a major hole by acquiring second baseman Ian Kinsler from Detroit for two fringe prospects. Kinsler, 35, is still a very good defender and a threat to steal 15-20 bases. He also plays the game with a competitive edge that should make him a nice fit in a relatively serene Angels' clubhouse. The Angels are reportedly working on a trade to acquire a third baseman — possibly San Diego's Chase Headley — so Eppler might not be done yet.

ESPN Stats and Information

ESPN Stats and Information

Ian Kinsler's 37 Defensive Runs Saved are the most among 2B over the last 3 seasons. No one else had more than 17.

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ESPN Stats and Information

The Angels have reportedly agreed to a deal for 2B Ian Kinsler. Angels 2B ranked in the bottom 3 in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage last season. The 4 who played the position most often combined for -0.9 WAR. Kinsler had an off year last season, hitting .236 with a .725 OPS, 50 points below what each of those numbers were from 2014 to 2016.

ESPN Stats and Information

Mariners reportedly reached agreement on a deal with reliever Juan Nicasio. The Mariners used 40 pitchers last season, tying an MLB record. Nicasio was durable. He tied for the NL lead with 76 appearances and pitched to a 2.61 ERA.

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ESPN Stats and Information

Newest Astros reliever Joe Smith struck out 11.8 batters per 9 innings last season, by far the highest rate of his career (previous: 9.1 with the 2007 Mets). The postseason showed the Astros needed help for a bullpen that ranked 17th in ERA during the regular season.

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ESPN Stats and Information

Newest Cardinals OF Marcell Ozuna had career highs in batting average, OPS, HR and RBI in 2017. Per Statcast, his 129 hits with an exit velocity of 95+ MPH were 3rd in MLB. Ozuna also won a Gold Glove in LF last season. His 11 Defensive Runs Saved ranked 2nd in MLB.

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ESPN Stats and Information

Newest Met Anthony Swarzak had a 2.33 ERA in 70 appearances in 2017. He'll bolster a Mets bullpen that ranked in the bottom 3 in ERA, WHIP and opponents' OPS in 2017. Swarzak got off to a hot start- 19 2/3 innings with 0 earned runs and 4 hits allowed through May 15. He had a 3.12 ERA and 1.28 WHIP the rest of the season.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer

Going rate for some relievers has been $9 million annually. Joe Smith getting less than that in his two-year deal, source indicates.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer

Scott Boras seems determined to get Jake Arrieta a Justin Verlander/Max Scherzer type deal. He keeps mentioning them and Arrieta in the same sentence, citing their big game playoff resume, and in Arrieta's case, his lighter workload heading into free agency than the others had.

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Andrew Marchand ESPN Senior Writer

Here is Yankees GM Brian Cashman's latest update on where he stands on moves: "We are accessing all opportunities and see if we can land a plane," Cashman said. "Right now, we are circling the airport. We are waiting for clearance on the runway.That is not from ownership. That means that we've got the signal that it is a safe landing spot, that we are comfortable with it, excited by that. We have enough gas in that tank that we can keep circling for awhile."

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Ben Fawkes ESPN Staff Writer

Will Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge hit over/under 86.5 home runs in the 2018 season? The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas just released that prop.

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Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer

Dave Dombrowski on how long Red Sox can wait for their top choice before making a move for a hitter: "Every time we have a meeting we talk about it. Some players are going to start signing pretty soon, and some players that we have interest in will start signing pretty soon. And if you wait, you lose some players that you may have interest in."

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Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer

Eduardo Nunez is "still on our radar," according to Red Sox president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski. Playing time could be a problem. Red Sox unable to guarantee Nunez everyday at-bats once Dustin Pedroia returns.

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Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer

Scott Boras on the perception that he prefers to slow-play the free-agent market: "I don't know the incentive for me to wait if you have a meeting of the minds as to value." Boras said 80 percent of the money in most deals is offered at the start of the negotiation, but it often takes time to agree upon the last 20 percent.

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Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer

Jerry Crasnick ESPN Senior Writer

Angels GM Billy Eppler is still looking for a second baseman to round out his batting order, and there's a growing sense that Detroit's Ian Kinsler is at the top of his list. The two teams continue to talk, but no deal was imminent as of Wednesday afternoon. The Mets, Giants and Brewers also have checked in on Kinsler, who is signed for an affordable $10 million in 2018. The Angels are among the teams on Kinsler's no trade list, but he would most likely waive it and go to Anaheim for a contract extension.

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Jerry Crasnick ESPN Senior Writer

Braves manager Brian Snitker on whether shortstop Dansby Swanson can improve upon his disappointing performance in 2017: "It was a big year for him last year. Now he's going to go into this year a lot more prepared, I think a lot more versed in what to expect when we get to spring training."